Q: Need legal assistance after being served divorce papers by spouse making six figures but I have no access to any money?

A: You need to give more info about your situation. I would be happy to speak to you. Certainly you can request attorney fees to hire one but that is not guaranteed so most attorneys will not touch it. You might want to hire an attorney to fill out your forms that would make things cheaper and then you could get attorney fees awarded and then pay for an attorney. Good luck with your case.

A: You have important legal rights in California, even if you currently lack access to funds. Under California Family Code Section 2030, you can request that your spouse pay for your attorney fees to ensure both parties have access to legal representation. This is especially relevant given the income disparity between you and your spouse.

The court can order your spouse to pay what's called "pendente lite" support, which provides temporary financial assistance while your divorce is pending. You can file forms FL-300 (Request for Order) and FL-157 (Spousal or Partner Support Declaration) to request immediate temporary spousal support, even before your divorce is finalized. These emergency orders can help you gain access to shared accounts and establish temporary support payments.

In the meantime, you can seek free legal assistance through your local county's family law facilitator's office or through organizations like the Legal Aid Society. Many attorneys also offer free initial consultations and might be willing to take your case with minimal upfront costs, knowing they can petition the court for fee payment from your spouse. Your immediate next step should be to contact the family law facilitator at your local courthouse - they can help you fill out the necessary paperwork to request attorney fees and temporary support.